I'll Always Have Your Back

You may have read about the major flooding in my state - Nebraska has more miles of waterways than any other state, and they all are flooded. While we sustained minor damage, so many others have lost everything. So it's a good time to let people know how you will help them should something happen.

Today I want to share the details of my card I posted earlier this week using the Freshly Made Sketches Sketch #379! It's a sweet sentiment for a friend – or a close relative – using the adorable Rhino Bird Day stamp set and matching dies from Trinity Stamps. To start, I made a grassy savanna using Shabby Shutters and Twisted Citron Distress inks. I stamped my images with VersaFine Clair Nocturne, and when dry, colored with Copic markers. I used Basis White from CutCardStock for my main panel. The matching dies make it so easy to cut out!

I popped up the watercolor panel with foam tape, and then also popped up the birds and rhino. I added two little clouds with silver linings to complete the scene. The sentiment was also stamped in Nocturne. I love what it says — it’s nice to have someone like that, isn’t it?

It's March Release Day at Picket Fence Studios!

One of my favorites days of the month is Picket Fence Studios Release Day!! I absolutely love it all! I have some amazingly talented teammates, and I hope that you will check out their blogs as well. Read on for how you can win a $15 Gift Certificate to Picket Fence Studios!

Well, I am sure you have had crazy weather lately -- yesterday my basement was flooded (still trying to prevent more!) and today all area schools are closed due to an impending blizzard! Sheesh! But since we all have the day off, it's the perfect day to stamp up some PFS fun!

I am using the new BFF Ava Girl and a sentiment from one of last month's releases, Let's Shake Our Tail Feathers.

I stamped with VersaFine Onyx Black, and then colored with Copic markers. I cut Ava out using the matching die, added some cute patterned paper, and my sentiment. I love it!

Later this week (after we dry out downstairs!), I will have so many more adorable things to show you, so please stop back! If you would like to be in the random drawing for a $15 Gift Certificate to PFS, just leave a comment and let me know your favorite of the new release! Winners will be chosen on the 15th!

Freshly Made Sketches #379

Please scroll down to see the darling March Paper Door Kit from Whimsy Stamps!

It's Wednesday and time for a new sketch at Freshly Made Sketches! It is my pleasure to hostess this week! The team came up with some awesome designs and variations, so be sure to check them out!

I am using the adorable Rhino Bird Day from Trinity Stamps for my sketch this week. You can see that, even though I designed the sketch, by the time I made my card, I decided to flip it, so my "circles" are on the right, instead of the left. Sometimes it happens like that when you start working with your images! :)

I will have all the details on this adorable card later this week. Right now, I hope you will support my teamies and take a peek at their work, then come play along with us! I am excited to see what you make!

Our challenge is open until 3 PM EDT on Monday!

The March Whimsy Stamps Paper Door Kit is Here!

Whimsy Stamps is excited to introduce their newly REDESIGNED PAPER DOOR kits for 2019! Now your monthly crafty goodness delivered right to your front door is even more affordable, and includes even more exclusive Whimsy Stamps products! The MARCH 2019 PAPER DOOR Kit is now available to purchase in the Whimsy Stamps Shop!

• BRAND NEW kit debuting on the 10^th of each month
• Each kit is a $50+ retail value for only $29.95 plus shipping
• EXCLUSIVE 6x6 Whimsy Stamps designer paper pack collections, fun and creative designs on heavy weight paper with a beautiful sheen - 24 double sided sheets
• TWELVE sheets of 8.5x5.5 heavy weight neutral card stock - in black and white
• SPECIAL EDITION 4x6 clear stamp set "Hoppy Spring" created exclusively for PAPER DOOR
• COMPLEMENTING "Hoppy Spring" outline die set to easily cut out the images from the 4 x 6 stamp set, designed exclusively for PAPER DOOR
• SPECIAL EDITION "Build-a-Garden" Die Set and "Mini Clouds Background" 4x3 rubber stamp introduced especially for PAPER DOOR

Today's card uses the Mini Clouds, bunny stamp and die, ladybug stamp and die, and two of the sentiment words. All papers are included in the kit! With each kit you also get PRIVATE access to PDF files with step-by-step instructions for at least 4 different projects - which may include this one! How awesome!

Each kit is a LIMITED EDITION and individual items may or may not be released at a later date. Supplies are limited so order yours today, and unlock your creativity with Whimsy Stamps PAPER DOOR kits!

 Thanks for stopping by today!

Freshly Made Sketches #378

It's Wednesday and time for a new sketch at FreshlyMade Sketches! Amy is our hostess today, and she has a fun collage sketch for you to try out! The team came up with some awesome designs and variations, so be sure to check them out HERE.
 

I embossed my leaves (Stampin' Up!) with Clear Embossing Powder, and then painted them with Brushos, using different colors for each leaf. The middle panel is a watercolor wash of yellow and green, with purple flecks of ink spattered after the base was dry. 

I popped up the middle leaf, and stamped my sentiment (Picket Fence Studios - Rustic Floral) in VersaClair Nocturne using my MISTI. With the textured white cardstock, it took about three times to ink completely.

Check out what the rest of the team did - they are so creative! And then come play along with us. Our challenge is open until 3 PM EST on Monday!

I am also linking up with:

AAA Cards - One sentiment, one matted layer, stamped image

Crazy for CAS - #15 WATERCOLOR

Use Your Stuff - #349 RAINBOW

Come Join the March Rainbow Card Challenge!

Happy March, Cardmakers! Have you seen the new challenge at the Rainbow Card Challenge? This month is Yummy Yellows!

I stamped five bees in a row on Heavyweight White CS (Hobby Lobby), using the two-step stamping technique. I stamped the gold bodies first, then the overlay of black detail and wings. I used a stencil and lightly (and randomly) sponged over the bees in different directions with a brighter yellow ink. The fifth bee I cut out using the matching die (Dragonfly Dreams from Stampin' Up!) and layered it on my second bee above. You can see a little shadow underneath from being popped up using 3D Foam Tabs.

I adhered all my panels using Scor-Tape (I like the 1/4" and 3/8") and then stamped my sentiment. It is three separate words from a retired stamp set by The Alley Way Stamps. I love the play on words with "bee." I then wrapped my Metallic Gold Baker's Twine several times around the left side (this card opens like a book), added a heart charm (that matches the bees' gold), and tied a simple bow.

And it's ready to mail!

Be sure to join us and play along. It's so fun to see what everyone makes, and what wonderful ideas you all have!

No Ordinary Cats

As many of you know, I am a dog lover. I have an 11 year old rescue dog named Fiona. But — my daughter has a cat, and I am learning to love and appreciate them. We also have MANY neighborhood cats that take advantage of our sunny front porch and deck, and they are sweet too. And none of them are ordinary!

For my card today I chose No Ordinary Cats from Art Neko as my image for my main tag. I made a watercolor background with distress inks and then stamped my image in VersaFine Onyx Black, using a MISTI to re-stamp until I got the image as dark as I wanted. Watercolor paper has texture, and it sometimes takes several impressions to fill in that texture.

 

I layered my main tag with a die cut tag (Reverse Confetti) for interest, and added some fun ribbons and Baby Pink Gypsophila flowers from Really Reasonable Ribbon to the tops of the tags, along with some fibers from my stash. Here are the ribbons I used: 

3/8" Mixed Pink Confetti Dots Grosgrain 

3/8" Silver Satin with Silver Metallic Edge

3/8" Totally Pink Twill

I think my daughter will like this card!

Come play along with the Happy Little Stampers Watercolour Challenge this month! 

Magical Birthday Wishes

Hello everyone!
I make a lot of monoprints, watercolor panels (mostly for practice), and wrinkled free distress ink backgrounds (also known as smooshed ink!). A lot of times they sit and sit, waiting to be used, or eventually end in the trash. With this card I decided to choose two "backgrounds" that have been waiting a long time in my background envelope. I just could never find the right project for them, but today I wanted to use pink, and these two have that!

They are on different kinds of paper -- the bottom, as you can probably see, has quite a bit of tooth to it, and is a heavier paper, while the top (still watercolor paper) is thinner and smooth. I decided to stamp flowers and sprigs from Trinity Stamps' Winter Botanical on the multicolored, smooth paper, and use the heavier for my heart base.

I stamped my images and sentiments in VersaClair Nocturne ink, and then cut them out with the matching dies to the stamp sets.

My sentiments are from Magical Sentiments. I layered my flowers along the bottom of the card, and on my heart.

I cut apart my sentiments and attached the words with Glue Dots. I popped up my heart, and then gave it a base of white and a matching peachy color.

And it's ready to send! Plus, I have many more cut flowers from that same panel for another card. Hope you will give this a try!

Freshly Made Sketches #377

It's Wednesday and time for a new sketch at FreshlyMade Sketches! Narelle is our hostess today, and she has a wonderful sketch for you to try out! The team came up with some beautiful designs and variations, so be sure to check them out HERE.
 

I used the Petite Cup die from Picket Fence Studios for my main focal point. The next step was finding papers (Bo Bunny) to match and complement the cup and style of the card I wanted. The sentiment was stamped in VersaFine Onyx Black, and then popped up with foam tape. The leaf sprigs on the sketch were completed with two paper roses from Wild Orchid Crafts, and I added a few Kaiser Blush pearls for glam.
 

Check out what the rest of the team did - they are so creative! And then come play along with us.

Our challenge is open until 3 PM EST on Monday!

Trinity Stamps and WOW Embossing Collaboration Blog Hop!

Today is a special day - a ton of inspiration from the Trinity Stamps and WOW! Embossing Powder teams in a collaborative blog hop! You are in for a treat!

And of course there are prizes: 6 powders (at the winners choosing) + carry case from WOW! Embossing Powder & Trinity Stamps with an amazing pack of goodies with stamps, dies and embellishments! Read on!

I love the look of white or ivory on gray and I chose Opaque Vanilla White for my embossing powder for this card. I stamped with VersaMark ink, using one of the flowers from the Winter Botanical stamp set, creating a floral background with an opening on the right side. 

After embossing, I added a black or white pearl to the flower centers, and mounted that base on silver mirror paper, and then on Blushing Bride cardstock (Stampin' Up!). 

The sentiment is from a silver glitter alphabet sticker sheet, mounted on two layers of the same cardstocks, cut with a stitched circle die. You could change the sentiment, and this would be a lovely wedding card!

Here is the complete hop list, so you don't miss a thing!

Trinity Stamps

Yasmin

Jo

Christine

Donna

Ashlee

Jaine

Verity

Brenda

Erica

Laura

Karen

Emily

Dana

Raluca

Katie

>>>Judy<<<

Emelie

Amy

WOW! Embossing Powder

Prize winners will be announced on both Trinity Stamps and WOW! Embossing blogs on March 6th! Be sure to stop by each blog on the hop and leave some love! You have until March 5 to visit each one!

Help Stop Global Warming!

Have you tried the Life Changing Brushes from Picket Fence Studios? I would never have attempted a background like this before owning these brushes! Read on!

Today I am sharing a fun combination of three PFS products that are so fun. First up - the Martini Glasses Stencil. In a previous life, I would have had a terrible time sponging with my sponge daubers to get in the stems of the glasses. But, with the Life Changing Brushes, it is a piece of cake! I love how evenly the color is distributed across the entire stencil. I used Picked Raspberry Distress Oxide ink.

Next, I cut a Martini Glass die out of black paper, and adhered it to the card base, and then stamped the sentiment from Ways To Say Let's Drink in VersaFine Onyx Black. A fun, easy, clean and simple design to send through the mail!

Thanks for stopping by today!

Freshly Made Sketches #376

It's Wednesday and time for a new sketch at FreshlyMade Sketches! Karren is our hostess today, and she has a wonderful sketch for you to try out! The team came up with some fun designs and variations, so be sure to check them out HERE.

I turned the sketch upside down, so that I had more room on the bottom, and used Wild Heart Gypsy Soul from Picket Fence Studios. I stamped with VersaFine Onyx Black. I scribbled Worn Lipstick and Wild Honey Distress Oxide ink on my craft mat, and then spritzed with water. I lay my Bristol paper stamped with the flowers face down in the ink, and let it take hold for a minute. I dried it with my heat gun, and then repeated two more times, adding some Rose Red ink (SU!) for depth, and Wilted Violet for the feathers.

The sentiment was also stamped in Onyx Black, and then popped up with foam tape. I added a few sequins from Doodlebug for color with the sentiment.

Check out what the rest of the team did - they are so creative! And then come play along with us. Our challenge is open until 3 PM EST on Monday!

Is It Really?!? Yes, it is!

Hello everyone!
Today I am sharing a creation from the February Whimsy Stamps Paper Door Kit - Tabby Tigers! Where are the tigers, you say? Is it really from that kit?? YES, it is! This kit also comes with some very sweet birds, and I wanted to showcase them too!

I stamped the birds in Altenew's Black ink, and then colored in with Copics. I drew some grass, added clouds from a handcut stencil, and some adorable music notes from the kit's stamp set. I also added that very tiny "tweet" for the little bird. It's a perfect addition to go along with the two sentiment banners, also from the kit. I also used the stencil that come with the kit as a textured background to add some movement and interest. Pretty fun to have a stencil that is tiger stripes in one card, and just a fun texture in another!

Here's the tweet news about what comes with this month's kit:

• BRAND NEW kit debuting on the 10^th of each month
• Each kit is a $50+ retail value for only $29.95 plus shipping
• EXCLUSIVE 6x6 Whimsy Stamps designer paper pack collections, fun and creative designs on heavy weight paper with a beautiful sheen - 24 double sided sheets
• TWELVE sheets of 8.5x5.5 heavy weight neutral card stock - in black and white
• SPECIAL EDITION 4x6 clear stamp set "Tabby Tigers" created exclusively for PAPER DOOR
• COMPLEMENTING "Tabby Tigers" outline die set to easily cut out the images from the 4 x 6 stamp set, designed exclusively for PAPER DOOR
• SPECIAL EDITION "Tiger Stripes Stencil" and "So and Too" 4x3 clear stamp set introduced especially for PAPER DOOR
• PRIVATE access to PDF files with step-by-step instructions for at least 4 different projects

We’ve made PAPER DOOR an easy and affordable way for you to enjoy a monthly card making kit:
NO minimums
NO subscriptions to commit to
NO wait lists to sweat out
NO multi-tier pricing
Each kit is a LIMITED EDITION and individual items may or may not be released at a later date. Supplies are limited so order yours today, and unlock your creativity with Whimsy Stamps PAPER DOOR kits!

Wow! What a Fabulous February Release from Picket Fence Studios!

Today is one of my favorite days - Valentine's Day AND it's the 14th of the month, which means LOTS of new stampy goodness at Picket Fence Studios! I have so many things to show you that I love from this release, so stay tuned! Today I am sharing two new things on this one adorable card. My images are from a darling new set called Wish We Could Hug. It is full of koala goodness, with three different images and a lot of fun sentiments to go around.

I stamped with Black Hybrid Ink, and then colored in with Copic markers. I decided to contrast their gray cuteness with the Pantone Color of 2019 and used several different shades of coral inks. It's so easy to cut them out with the matching dies too!!

The background is made using the new Random Dots Stencil and Abandoned Coral Distress Oxide ink with the Life Changing Brushes. I added gray Baker's Twine and a little coral rose (Wild Orchid) to embellish, as well as a little Wink of Stella to their flower crowns. Aren't they sweet?

Be sure to check out the entire release at Picket Fence Studios - and I will be back later this week with more new release fun!